To our Mtbr and RoadbikeREVIEW Classifieds Community,
We have been receiving more and more complaints of another scam going around. This scam involves a seller who accepts Western Union or Money Gram payment only.
Or, they can pose as a buyer who will overpay and wants YOU to send him the difference using Western Union or Money Gram, overseas (often involving a "shipping agent"). This is similar to the other scam alert we have posted.
If they are the seller, they will not accept Credit Cards, although they seem to have a large number of bikes for sale in varying sizes.
The seller usually has multiple ads for bikes approx 50-60% lower than retail for brand new bikes. They have a phone number which does not match the address they have listed in the ad. Often times the phone number is outside of the US, and they require that buyers pay by Western Union, to a location also outside of the US.
Be alert and do NOT to take part in this. Always be as careful and as sure about online deals as you can. Find out as much info about the potential buyers that you can. Like the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." These scammers often times do not even have any bikes, and may take pictures from other ads that are placed online. They are unable to answer basic questions about the bikes.
Please be cautious, and feel free to warn other in our Good Trader/Bad Trader Forum should you happen to find any more of these scams.
Link to Good Trader/Bad Trader Forum: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=56
You may even see these scams on other online auction and classifieds sites, do NOT fall for these scams. You may note on these sites, that the scammers have very little, to no transaction history. But there have also been cases where these scammers steal other sellers ID's and seller ratings. No matter where you find these scams, just stay away.
Be informed, beware, and be smart.
As always, thank you for your support and be cautious.
-Gregg Kato, Site Manager
Mtbr.com & RoadbikeREVIEW.com
classifieds2@mtbreview.com
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